Embedding Preparedness in Everyday Interior Architecture: An Evidence-Derived Framework from Comparative Case Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38027/jsalutogenic_vol5no1_7Keywords:
Interior Architecture, Embedded Preparedness, Salutogenic Design, Disaster Preparedness, Environmental Psychology, Adaptive Environments, Resilience, Behavioural ArchitectureAbstract
The increasing frequency and complexity of natural hazards, climate-related emergencies, pandemics, humanitarian crises, and infrastructure failures have intensified the need for resilient built environments. Despite advances in structural resilience and emergency planning, preparedness remains largely conceptualized as an operational response activated during crises, with limited attention to how everyday interior environments can support occupants before disruption occurs. This study investigates whether preparedness can be understood as an intrinsic architectural quality embedded within Interior Architecture. Using an inductive theory-building approach, a comparative qualitative analysis of nine international architectural precedents was conducted across diverse disaster contexts, programs, and spatial scales. Each case was evaluated using a common analytical framework examining spatial organization, privacy, familiarity, autonomy, spatial control, adaptive capacity, and psychosocial outcomes. Cross-case synthesis identified six recurring spatial principles that consistently strengthened adaptive human–environment relationships. These findings form the Theory of Embedded Preparedness (TEP), which conceptualizes preparedness as a continuous environmental condition emerging through adaptive spatial systems, human–environment interaction, and psychosocial resilience. The study offers a transferable theoretical framework that advances Interior Architecture by embedding preparedness into everyday design, supporting healthier, more adaptive, and resilient interior environments before, during, and after disruption.
Downloads
References
Abdulpader, O. Q., Sabah, O. A., & Abdullah, H. S. (2014). Impact of Flexibility Principle on the Efficiency of Interior Design. International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, Volume 5 No.3. http://tuengr.com/V05/0195.pdf
Altman, I., & Vinsel, A. M. (1977). Personal Space: An Analysis of E.T. Hall’s Proxemics Framework. In I. Altman & J. F. Wohlwill (Eds.), Human Behavior and Environment (pp. 181–259). Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0808-9_5
Atmodiwirjo, P., & Yatmo, Y. A. (2026). Interiority and Resilience. Interiority, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.7454/in.v9i1.1268
Boehm, S., & Kopec, D. (2016). Interior design as a post-disaster team partner. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 7(3), 276–289. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-10-2014-0075
Bollo, C., & Donofrio, A. (2022). Trauma-informed design for permanent supportive housing: Four case studies from Seattle and Denver. Housing and Society, 49(3), 229–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/08882746.2021.1989570
Brand, S. (1995). How buildings learn: What happens after they’re built. Penguin Books.
Brisson, D., Macur, R., Mann, B., & Wilson, J. (2025). Impact of Trauma-Informed Design on Health and Well-Being of People Formerly Experiencing Homelessness in Permanent Supportive Housing. Social Sciences, 14(7), 417. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14070417
Brooker, G., & Stone, S. (2018). Rereadings: 2: interior architecture and the design principles of remodelling existing buildings. RIBA Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367814601
Bulaj, G., Forero, M., & Huntsman, D. D. (2025). Biophilic design, neuroarchitecture and therapeutic home environments: Harnessing medicinal properties of intentionally-designed spaces to enhance digital health outcomes. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, 1610259. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1610259
Carrasco, S., & O’Brien, D. (2021). Beyond the freedom to build: Long-term outcomes of Elemental’s incremental housing in Quinta Monroy. Urbe. Revista Brasileira de Gestão Urbana, 13, e20200001. https://doi.org/10.1590/2175-3369.013.e20200001
Celadyn, M. (2024). Architectural interior design for durability of interior components. Material and intangible contexts of selected durability-supportive design schemes [in:] ARCHITECTURAE ET ARTIBUS - vol.16—3(61)/2024. https://doi.org/10.24427/AEA-2024-VOL16-05
Charlesworth, E., & Fien, J. (2022). Design and Disaster Resilience: Toward a Role for Design in Disaster Mitigation and Recovery. Architecture, 2(2), 292–306. https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture2020017
Chen, S., Zhang, Z., Yang, J., Wang, J., Zhai, X., Bärnighausen, T., & Wang, C. (2020). Fangcang shelter hospitals: A novel concept for responding to public health emergencies. The Lancet, 395(10232), 1305–1314. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30744-3
Clement, F. D., Qidong, L., Xingwen, Z., & Xiaojuan, L. (2022). Studies on Modular Emergency Buildings and Conservation. American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 10, 57–64.
Cole, R. J., Brown, Z., & McKay, S. (2010). Building human agency: A timely manifesto. Building Research & Information, 38(3), 339–350. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613211003747071
Conzatti, A., Kershaw, T., Copping, A., & Coley, D. (2022). A review of the impact of shelter design on the health of displaced populations. Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 7(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41018-022-00123-0
UNHCR, Handbook for Emergencies, (2007).
Darbandi, M., Imani, N., & Rahimzadeh, M. (2023). The Emergence of Interior Architecture. Interiority, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.7454/in.v6i2.308
Dilani, A. (2009). Psychosocially Supportive Design: A Salutogenic Approach to the Design of the Physical Environment.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building Theories from Case Study Research. The Academy of Management Review, 14(4), 532. https://doi.org/10.2307/258557
Eisenhardt, K. M., & Graebner, M. E. (2007). Theory Building From Cases: Opportunities And Challenges. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2007.24160888
Evans, G. W., & McCoy, J. M. (1998). WHEN BUILDINGS DON’T WORK: THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTURE IN HUMAN HEALTH. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 18(1), 85–94. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.1998.0089
Félix, D., Branco, J. M., & Feio, A. (2013). Temporary housing after disasters: A state of the art survey. Habitat International, 40, 136–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2013.03.006
Folke, C. (2006). Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social–ecological systems analyses. Global Environmental Change, 16(3), 253–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.04.002
Gaillard, J.-C., Kelman, I., & Wisner, B. (Eds.). (2012). The Routledge handbook of hazards and disaster risk reduction (First edition). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203844236
Gibson, J. J. (1986). The ecological approach to visual perception. Erlbaum.
Gifford, R. (2014). Environmental Psychology Matters. Annual Review of Psychology, 65(1), 541–579. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010213-115048
Hazim, D., & Agha, R. H. M. (2023). Using Modern Techniques in the Formation of Flexible Interior Spaces: Insights from Iraq. International Society for the Study of Vernacular Settlements, 10(10), 236–250. https://doi.org/10.61275/ISVSej-2023-10-10-15
Hellwig, R. T. (2015). Perceived control in indoor environments: A conceptual approach. Building Research & Information, 43(3), 302–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2015.1004150
Holling, C. S. (1973). Resilience and Stability of Ecological Systems. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 4(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.04.110173.000245
Hwang, K.-E., & Kim, I. (2022). Post-COVID-19 modular building review on problem-seeking framework: Function, form, economy, and time. Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 9(4), 1369–1387. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcde/qwac057
Ji, H., Huang, L., Li, H., Zhang, J., Jing, Q., & Deng, J.-Y. (2022). A Comparative Study on Technical Standards for the Design of Emergency Medical Facilities in China in the Context of COVID-19. Buildings, 12(10), 1502. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12101502
Kim, K. (2021). Evacuation Planning and Transportation Resilience. In International Encyclopedia of Transportation (pp. 276–281). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102671-7.10136-8
Laboy, M., & Fannon, D. (2016). Resilience Theory and Praxis: A Critical Framework for Architecture. Enquiry The ARCC Journal for Architectural Research, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.17831/enq:arcc.v13i2.405
Lanz, F., & Pendlebury, J. (2022a). Adaptive reuse: A critical review. The Journal of Architecture, 27(2–3), 441–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602365.2022.2105381
Łątka, J. F., Jasiołek, A., Pawłosik, D., Karolak, A., Niewiadomski, P., Noszczyk, P., Jörgen, A., & Sołowiej, P. (2025). Implementation of Paper-Based Materials in Emergency Architecture: Research and Development of Transportable Emergency Cardboard Houses. Materials, 18(17), 4134. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18174134
Latour, B., & Yaneva, A. (2017). «Give Me a Gun and I Will Make All Buildings Move»: An ANT’s View of Architecture. Ardeth, 01(08), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.17454/ARDETH01.08
Lee, K. (2022). The Interior Experience of Architecture: An Emotional Connection between Space and the Body. Buildings, 12(3), 326. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12030326
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2003). Universal principles of design: 100 ways to enhance usability, influence perception, increase appeal, make better design decisions, and teach through design. Rockport Publ.
Lynch, J. M., Stange, K. C., Dowrick, C., Getz, L., Meredith, P. J., Van Driel, M. L., Harris, M. G., Tillack, K., & Tapp, C. (2025). The sense of safety theoretical framework: A trauma-informed and healing-oriented approach for whole person care. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1441493. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1441493
Marawan, E., Rezk, H., & Sameh, H. (2022). Architectural design criteria for infection control in hospitals during construction and development. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1056(1), 012007. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1056/1/012007
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227
McCarter, R. (2016). The space within: Interior experience as the origin of architecture. Reaktion Books.
Meerow, S., Newell, J. P., & Stults, M. (2016). Defining urban resilience: A review. Landscape and Urban Planning, 147, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.11.011
Mittelmark, M. B., Bauer, G. F., Vaandrager, L., Pelikan, J. M., Sagy, S., Eriksson, M., Lindström, B., & Meier Magistretti, C. (Eds.). (2022). The Handbook of Salutogenesis. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79515-3
Mohareb, N., & Maassarani, S. (2018). DESIGN-BUILD: AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH FOR ARCHITECTURE STUDIO EDUCATION. International Journal of Architectural Research: ArchNet-IJAR, 12(2), 146. https://doi.org/10.26687/archnet-ijar.v12i2.1570
Möystad, O. (2017). Cognition and the Built Environment (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315642383
Norman, D. A. (2013). The design of everyday things (Rev. and expanded edition). MIT press.
Owen, C., & Crane, J. (2022). Trauma-Informed Design of Supported Housing: A Scoping Review through the Lens of Neuroscience. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14279. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114279
Passini, R. (1984). Spatial representations, a wayfinding perspective. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 4(2), 153–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(84)80031-6
Paton, D. (with Johnston, D.). (2017). Disaster Resilience: An Integrated Approach (2nd ed). Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Limited.
Pedgley, O., & Şener, B. (2024). Natural Disaster Readiness and Response: Bringing Designers, Design Thinking, and Design Innovation into the Agenda. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 10(1), 120–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sheji.2024.04.001
Perolini, P. S. (2011). Interior Spaces and the Layers of Meaning. Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal—Annual Review, 5(6), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1874/CGP/v05i06/38247
Petermans, A., & Pohlmeyer, A. E. (2014). Design for subjective well-being in interior architecture. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1584.2241
Popov, L. (2016). The Flexibility Imperative, the Transformation of the Building, and the “Unbecoming” of the Traditional Interior. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 5(12), 01. https://doi.org/10.18533/journal.v5i12.1057
Proudfoot, A. G., O’Brien, B., Schilling, R., Gould, D. W., McGlennan, A., Collaborating authors, Wragg, A., Knight, C., McAuliffe, S., Marshall, G., Orzechowska, I., Sullivan, E., Grey, N., & Forrest, N. (2021). Rapid establishment of a COVID-19 critical care unit in a convention centre: The Nightingale Hospital London experience. Intensive Care Medicine, 47(3), 349–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-020-06334-6
Rutter, M. (1987). Psychosocial resilience and protective mechanisms. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57(3), 316–331. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-0025.1987.tb03541.x
Scannell, L., & Gifford, R. (2010). Defining place attachment: A tripartite organizing framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.09.006
Schmidt Iii, R., & Austin, S. (2016). Adaptable Architecture (0 ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315722931
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015—2030. (2015).
Smith, D., Metcalfe, P., & Lommerse, M. (2012). Interior architecture as an agent for wellbeing. Vol 19, No. 3.
Stone, S. (2020). UnDoing buildings: Adaptive reuse and cultural memory. London Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315397221
Sweet, T. (2018). Furniture Design for Disaster: A Case Study for Psychologically Resilient Objects. Journal of Interior Design, 43(1), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/joid.12110
Till, J., & Schneider, T. (2016). Flexible Housing (0 ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315393582
Trogal, K., Bauman, I., Lawrence, R., & Petrescu, D. (Eds.). (2018). Architecture and Resilience: Interdisciplinary Dialogues (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315159478
Twigg, J. (2015). Disaster Risk Reduction. https://odihpn.org/content/uploads/2011/06/GPR-9-web-string-1.pdf
Ulrich, R. S. (2008). Biophilic Theory and Research for Healthcare Design. In Biophilic Theory and Research for Healthcare Design.
UNHCR. (2026). Emergency Shelter Solutions and Standards.
Vinje, H. F., Langeland, E., & Bull, T. (2017). Aaron Antonovsky’s Development of Salutogenesis, 1979 to 1994. In M. B. Mittelmark, S. Sagy, M. Eriksson, G. F. Bauer, J. M. Pelikan, B. Lindström, & G. A. Espnes (Eds.), The Handbook of Salutogenesis (pp. 25–40). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04600-6_4
Von Lindern, E., Lymeus, F., & Hartig, T. (2017). The Restorative Environment: A Complementary Concept for Salutogenesis Studies. In M. B. Mittelmark, S. Sagy, M. Eriksson, G. F. Bauer, J. M. Pelikan, B. Lindström, & G. A. Espnes (Eds.), The Handbook of Salutogenesis (pp. 181–195). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04600-6_19
Walker, B. H., & Salt, D. (Eds.). (2010). Resilience thinking: Sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Island Press.
Walker, B., Holling, C. S., Carpenter, S. R., & Kinzig, A. P. (2004). Resilience, Adaptability and Transformability in Social-ecological Systems. Ecology and Society, 9(2), art5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-00650-090205
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (Sixth edition). SAGE.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Naina Maggie Cleetus (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
